Propolis hosts a diversemicrobial community

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Apiculture
• Ecology

Background:

• The honey bee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiome is well-studied, but microbial communities in other hive components, like propolis, remain largely unknown.
• Propolis, a plant-derived resin used for hive hygiene, is traditionally considered antimicrobial and aseptic.
• The microbial inhabitants and their ecological role within propolis have not been previously investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the microbial community diversity within honey bee propolis for the first time.
• To investigate the cultivability and metabolic potential of propolis-associated microorganisms.
• To assess the antimicrobial properties of isolated propolis bacteria and the potential of the propolis microbiota to contribute to hive health.

Main Methods:

• Targeted metagenomics analysis to identify microbial taxa present in propolis.
• Cultivation of microorganisms from propolis samples under standard laboratory conditions.
• Characterization of metabolic profiles of isolated bacteria and their antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.

Main Results:

• Propolis hosts a diverse microbial community, including bacteria and fungi, with taxa also found in other hive components.
• Several microbial strains from propolis are cultivable and exhibit metabolic traits suitable for survival within propolis.
• Isolated bacteria produce antimicrobials effective against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and entomopathogenic fungi.
• Metagenomics revealed the presence of microbes with significant potential to inhibit harmful microorganisms.

Conclusions:

• Propolis is not aseptic but harbors a complex microbial community.
• The characterized propolis microbiota likely contributes to its overall antimicrobial properties and role in hive hygiene.
• These findings highlight the ecological significance of propolis-associated microbes in maintaining hive health.